"That was crazy! I didn't expect you guys to tie with the guys from Hidemari. I mean, they're all good players." One of the seniors said.
*Tch, I wonder what Souma thought when agreeing with the coach.* A third year student thought looking pissed.
"You guys did well." Souma said, adjusting his glasses.
*He wears glasses?*
"Well, training continues tomorrow. We can't sit still just because you had a practice match. First thing in the morning before 7 you should all be here." He said.
"Yes, Captain!" They answered before walking away.
*The prefectural championship will be starting on the 25th of next month. We have less than five weeks left to prepare for it. But the problem is with the third years. They aren't cooperating, and they are more than us second years.* Souma thought, looking at the coach who just walked in.
"Well, you guys really amazed me. I didn't expect you guys to end the game in a draw." He said.
"Coach..." Souma called.
"Ah, Captain. Remember that training continues tomorrow. We can't sit back this time around. Last year's championship ended in... well... failure. I'm sure we don't want to lose this time too. The training is really important but I'm sure that as usual most of you guys would give excuses to avoid joining the training sessions."
*Tch...*
"You can actually avoid coming for the training. It's really not mandatory. We'll that is just for the guys from the other years. First years must come for the training, and so will the captain and goal keeper. The rest can decide for themselves." He said, smiling at the Captain before walking out.
*Ha... he's gonna make them mad.* Souma thought, putting his left hand over his eye while shaking his head.
*He's really trying to make us annoyed.* One of the third years thought.
"Tch."
"Don't go getting a big head, First years. The fact still remains that you didn't win. In the end, you guys were still struggling." One of the third years said, walking out of the room with some others, one of them shoved his way past Ryunnouske.
"..."
"Damn delinquent." The guy who shoved him said.
"He just pushed him deliberately. He's gonna hear from me." Juro said, ready for a fight.
"Let it be, Juro." Ryu said, holding him back.
"But..."
"They're trying to get us mad. Don't act impulsively." Hajime said.
"Thanks, Juro, but that was nothing. I bet his body aches now." Ryunnouske said, smiling.
"W-well, if you guys say so." Juro said, relaxing.
"Captain, we are leaving then." Hajime said as the Captain smiled at them.
"Well then, see you before 7." He said as they walked out.
◆◆◆
"Wow, those first years are something else. I can't believe they won the practice match." Yuki said, looking super excited.
"If you love soccer so much, why don't you join the female team."
"Cause there's none."
"Ah... sorry." Hime said, smiling.
"Okay, I've decided!"
"Decided what?"
"I'll speak to my uncle later."
"..."
★★★
"So there you have it, she's our manager now." Coach Akihito announced after the afternoon training.
"A female manager?"
"She's just a manager, nothing much."
"Welcome to the team."
"What's your name?"
"Well, she looks kinda cute."
"Shhh! That's Coach Akihitos' niece."
"Eh? Eh?!"
"Hello boys, I'm Yuki Yamamoto. Nice to meet you." She said, smiling at them.
"Now don't bully her. I'm sure most of you know that she's my niece. I'll kill anyone who approaches her." He said, glaring at them.
*I won't dare.* They thought, nodding continuously.
*Hmm... isn't he that guy?* Yuki thought, looking at Ryunnouske, who was spacing out while looking down.
*He looks morose.*
"Ryu-nnou-ske." Juro called, tapping him.
"Hm? Hm?" He looked around while getting back to reality.
"Let's leave. Maybe grab a snack." Haryu said.
"Ah, I saw a new patisserie. I bought some cookies from there yesterday evening." Hajime said.
"You like deserts?" Ryunnouske asked.
"He's got a really sweet tooth." Juro said.
"Let's just leave. It's around the corner and I promise you'd love them." Hajime said, his eyes glistening.
"Let's go then. I really need something sweet now."
"I thought your parents owned a cake store, Hajime. Why don't you just enjoy some cake there?"
"Hm... my home's not too close. I'm afraid you guys will be leaving my house by night."
*And moreover, my parents get too chummy with Juro. I'm afraid they'd love to keep them till tomorrow.*
"Let's make it a sleepover then. Tomorrow's Saturday and we don't have school." Juro said.
"Um, I have Saturday classes." Hajime said.
"Ugh, the studious one." Juro said, looking away.
"Well, it's not my fault. Haryu also goes for them."
"I couldn't refuse my parents." Haryu said.
They kept discussing until they reached the new patisserie.
"Wow! This parfait is really good!" Juro said.
*Aren't these expensive?* Ryunnouske thought, still looking at the menu.
"Just buy something. They're all sweet." Haryu said.
"Ah, ah..." Ryunnouske said before picking one.
*I'll just have to earn it back.* He thought, smiling at himself.
They sat together enjoying their deserts, happily discussing things that happened during the week and their plans for the next.